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Lakewood Residents,
As the summer comes to an end and kids all head back to school, I want to wish everyone a happy, safe, successful school year. Please remember that Lakewood is a walking district, and students of all ages and ability levels are walking, biking, and crossing the streets on their way to class. Watch out for one another to make sure that all of our citizens can get to their destination safely.
The annual Lakewood Community Festival on September 6 will cap off another amazing and busy summer schedule of fun events and activities. I hope to see you at Madison Park to celebrate one more time before the leaves start to fall.
Also in this edition of the Community E-Newsletter, read about the West 117th Rapid Station's reopening, learn the latest news concerning our city's public artwork, and more updates across our City departments and divisions.
Mayor Meghan F. George
| | September 2025 Events Calendar | |
Sat., September 6
Lakewood Community Festival
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Madison Park
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Mon., September 8
Cuyahoga County Conversation on Medicaid and SNAP Changes
7:00 PM
Lakewood Park Bandstand
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Fri., September 12
US SBA Disaster Preparedness Webinar
7:00 PM
Lakewood Park Bandstand
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Sun., September 14
Car Seat Safety Check
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Fire Station 1
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Mon., September 15
City Council Meeting
7:30 PM
City Hall Auditorium
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Thu., September 18
DIvision of Aging:
1920's "Cut A Rug" Dance
4:30 - 7:00 PM
Cove Community Center
| | Click below to view the City of Lakewood's full events calendar. | |
Lakewood Community Festival Returns Sept. 6
The 37th annual Lakewood Community Festival is set for Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Madison Park, 13029 Madison Avenue. The festival celebrates community, cultural heritage and families. It is a day of fun and activities for everyone. This year's event will also feature a ribbon cutting for the new path and park entrance from Halstead Avenue.
Craft and game booths, live entertainment, an inflatable obstacle course, and children’s games will all be part of the festivities, as well as a variety of delectable foods including stuffed cabbage, pierogis, cabbage and noodles, kielbasa and sauerkraut, pizza, and other dishes. An assortment of traditional ethnic baked goods and other desserts will be available.
The festival, sponsored by the Lakewood Community Festival, Inc. and the City of Lakewood, is traditionally the last event of the summer. Proceeds from the festival will be donated to various local organizations.
This event will be held rain or shine.
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Lakewood City Council Seeks Volunteers to Fill Upcoming Board & Commission Vacancies
Lakewood City Council is seeking volunteers ready to engage with their community and advise their local government. Positions on each of the following boards are available:
Complete & Active Streets Education & Advisory Board (5 positions)
CASE is a new Board whose mission it is to provide feedback on and implementation of the Active Transportation Plan and Safe Streets for All Plan and to raise awareness and work with other stakeholders on issues related to traffic safety within the City. Membership will be comprised of a group of residents with diverse experiences navigating the City via car, public transit and bicycle with a variety of lived experiences.
Planning Commission (1 position)
The Planning Commission works closely with the Planning Department and City Council to review and issue recommendations on a broad range of proposed public improvements that pertain to changes in zoning, land use, and/or development. Planning Commission members should possess related expertise in the above areas and be available for up to 5 hours of service per month.
Tree Advisory & Education Board (1 position)
The Tree Advisory & Education Board collaborates with the City on strategies to meet its tree canopy goal and educates fellow residents on responsible tree stewardship and the benefits of private property tree planting. Special consideration will be given to applicants with knowledge of and interest in trees.
Additional information about the city’s boards and commissions is located in the Lakewood Codified Ordinances, the Third Amended Charter of the City of Lakewood, and on the City’s website.
Applicants may complete an application online here: Board/Commission Application Form – The City of Lakewood, Ohio
Positions will remain open until filled.
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W. 117th Station Reopens Following Year of Rehabilitation Work
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) officially reopened the Red Line W.117 – Madison Station at the start of service on Friday, August 29, 2025.
“We appreciate the patience and flexibility that our riders have shown during this closure, and we now welcome them back to a revitalized Red Line station, where a huge amount of refurbishment was accomplished,” said GCRTA Deputy General Manager Engineering & Project Management, Michael Schipper. “Now Red Line riders who utilize this station will be able to take the train to the upcoming Cleveland Guardians games and Cleveland National Air Show this holiday weekend.”
This rehabilitation project extends the service life of the three bridges and adjoining platform over W. 117th street in the Cities of Cleveland and Lakewood, Ohio. Site work included a concrete transit deck replacement, new Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) platform, structural steel retrofits, patched city concrete curb walls and replaced city sidewalk handrails.
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Now Hiring Crossing Guards
As a walking neighborhood, thousands of students in Lakewood rely on the city’s crossing guards to provide a safe route to school each morning and back home in the afternoon. Crossing Guards provide a vital service to the city, and we are in need of more team members for the current school year.
If you are looking for a fun, fulfilling job that has a positive impact on your community, apply to join our team today!
Benefits of Being a Crossing Guard:
- Take an active role in improving safety for our residents and visitors
- Great pay and friendly part-time schedule (~2 hours per day) for individuals seeking supplemental income
- Work in the fresh air while getting exercise
- Get to know the neighbors and families in your neighborhood
- Requirements: High school diploma or GED, drug screening, background check, ability to complete a physical examination
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2025 Spectacular Vernacular Traffic Box Art Installations
You may have noticed some added color on City infrastructure lately. This August, the City was able to install 42 vinyl wraps on traffic signal boxes along Madison, Franklin, Hilliard, Woodward, Warren, and some sprinkled in other areas.
We were so excited to work with eleven different artists this year to create a better pedestrian experience along some of our main corridors by covering the gray traffic signal boxes in personalized art. These will be added to the Public Art Map once they are all completed by the end of September.
Public Art Master Plan Survey
Speaking of public art, the City of Lakewood is excited to work with Cuyahoga County Planning Commission on a citywide Public Art Master Plan. Our first step is understanding how residents, businesses, visitors, artists, and more feel about our public art program and exhibits throughout the city.
Click the button below to submit your response.
Survey closes September 30th. Additional engagement opportunities will occur late fall and winter 2026. If you have any questions or to request additional information about this initiative, please reach out to planning@lakewoodoh.gov.
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Hike and Bike to School Week Set for Sept. 22-26
Hike & Bike Week is returning this fall. Using active transportation methods is a fun way to build community, reduce traffic, and improve air quality locally.
Students and families are encouraged to commute to school by walking, biking, or any other alternative to driving during the week of September 22 through 26. Drivers, make sure to be on the lookout for these pedestrians throughout the school year!
The Safe Routes To School (SRTS) Guide linked below offers guidance on creating a walking school bus or bike train, as well as other resources and suggestions on encouraging active transportation.
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Bike With A Mayor Event Scheduled for October 6
On October 6 at 6:00 PM, join Mayor George and other City and County officials for a bike ride through Lakewood.
The “Bike with a Mayor” series aims to provide residents with the opportunity to meet and engage in physical activity with their elected leaders while also learning about their city’s dedication to providing safe bike routes and trails for year-round enjoyment.
The ride will begin at Kauffman Park (15450 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107) and cover various parts of the city spanning roughly 5 miles. A map and link to the route are below.
| | | Human Services Department | |
Common Grounds At Cove's Summer Social and Maker's Market a Success!
The Common Ground Summer Social and Makers Market on Monday, August 18 was a total hit! From little ones to older adults, everyone enjoyed shopping, savoring ice cream, sipping refreshing lemonade, and grooving to a live DJ.
It was an amazing celebration of community, bringing together all generations for some unforgettable fun. We had such a blast that we can’t wait to do it again next year!
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Join Us For 1920's Cut A Rug Dance
Roaring ’20s fun for everyone 60+!
Thursday, Sept. 18, 4:30–8 PM
Tickets: $20
Tickets are limited, so step lively before they're gone! Available at Cove - 12525 Lake Ave.
The event will include Dinner, Dancing, Raffles, Best-Dressed Contest, and Photo Booth.
We’ve thrown amazing dances before… this one will whisk you straight to the Jazz Age.
Whether you dress up, dance, or simply soak in the fun, you won’t want to miss it!
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